Signaling system.



E. R. GILL.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1909.

1,070,371 Patented Aug 12,1913] UNITED STATES PATENT oruion.

nnwm a. GILL. or Yonmins, .NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE assreumnu'rs, ro

v HALL SWITCH &

SIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION or MAINE.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Application filed July 27, 1909. Serial No. 509,932.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, EnwIN R. GILL, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Yonkers, county of Westchester,. and State of New York, have invented a certainnew and useful Improvement in Signaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signaling systems, and more particularly to such systems, as are adapted to railroad and train .des-

' patching.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide improved means whereby train despatching messages and messages independ-I ent thereof may be transmitted by different operators without interference, over a single line wire, andivhereby the train despatcher will .be able at any time to take possession of the line.

Another object is to provide improved means whereby signaling impulses may be impressed upon the line without interfering with the voice currents, thereby permitting of a simultaneous use of the line for tele-- A further object is to provide improved means in a signaling system of the above character whereby in each station a plurality of signals of different characteristics may be= operated through the employment of .a sin-; gle selective calling apparatus. 2

Other objects will be in part in art pointed out hereinafter. 5 he invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of;

bvious and elements and arrangement of parts, which;

will be exemplified in the construct-ion here- 1 inafter described. and the scope of the ap-' plication of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing which is to be taken as a part of this specification and in which I have shown schematically a merely preferred form of embodiment of the invention, the figure represents a telephone line having included therein selectively operated signaling devices together with types of the adjuncts essential to a successful achievement of the objects premised.

Referring now to the drawing The line is indicated at 1 and 2 and 3, respe'ctively' indicate batteries; said batteries Fleeing arranged with their corresponding pol s oppositely connected in the line, as shown; An ranged within the train despatchersi'station, which is indicated at A in the drawings,'are relays A} and 5 respectively, said relaysbeing operated by local circuits 6 and Y, having sources of current supply as batteriesYS and 10 respectively. Connected in {these 'slocal circuits are sender keys 11 and =12,.1ytrhich when operated cause the relays toglsend impulses of a predetermined character Lover the line .wire thereby to operate selector means as at 13, connected in a bridge'yfl of the line. These sender keys will preferably be .of the type shown and described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 451,663. Although various types of selector apparatus may be employed in this relation, I preferably employ an instrument of a kind disclosed in Letters Patent 906,523, granted to me December 15th, 1908. This selector includes a magnet 15 and a coil 16 on said magnet, the latter being connected with the terminal 17 of a local signal operating circuit and with a terminal 18 to which in turn is connected a-contact member QOwith which coiiperates a circuit closer 21, forming a part of the selector apparatus.

22 indicates a device in the nature of a polarized relay, the coils of which are con nected in bridge 1 L of the line, and an armature 23 of this relay is adapted to engage ivith contacts 24 and 25 of the signaling circuits, for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

26 and 27 indicate signals which in the present instance are shown as being constituted by ordinary electric bells. These bells are differently toned so that they" may be readily distinguished, or if desired, for

one of these signals may be substituted an the opposite terminal 35 of this signal leads a wire 36 to the contact 25. Wire 37 leads from wire 32 to the terminal 38 of signal 26, and from opposite terminal 40 of said signal leads a Wire 41 to contact 24. Armature 23 of the relay is connected with ter minal 17 of the selective device by a wire 42 and a wire 43 leads from terminal 18 to the battery 31. It will thus be seen that both of the signals 26 and 27 are connected in local circuits, and that either circuit may be closed by the circuit closer 21 engaging the contact 20, the particular circuit closed depending upon the position of armature 23 with respect to the contact points 24 and 25, respectively. As shown in the drawings when armature 23 is in engagement with contact 25, the following circuit is established when circuit closer 21, engages contact 20. From battery 31 through wires 32 and 33 to signal 27 thence through wire 36, contact point 25, armature 23, wire 42, coil 16, circuit closer 21, contact 20, and wire 43 to battery 31.

When the armature 23 is in engagement with contact 24 the following circuit is established: from battery 31 through wires 32 and 37 to signal 26 thence through wire 41, contact point 24, armature 23, wire 42, coil 16, circuit closer 21, contact 20 and wire 43, back to battery. Thus it will be seen that either of signals 26 or 27 may be independently operated, the particular signal operated being dependent upon the position of the armature 23 with respect to the contacts with which it cooperates as stated above.

44 and 45 respectively indicate telephones connected in. bridges 46 and 47 of the main line, condensers as at 48 and 50 being provided in said bridges. Telephone 44 is shown as being located in the despatchers station A, and telephone 45 in the receivers station B. It will be understood that stations similar to B may be located at various points along the main line.

In order to provide means whereby loatteries 2 and 3 may be applied to or with drawn from the line in such manner that no audible effect will be produced onf the telephones in bridge thereof, I employ-devices for slowing down the rates at which the battery currents rise and fall; said devices in the resent instance comprising retardation colls 51 and 52, respectively, a condenser being provided at 53.

In order to actuate the armature 23 of the polarized relay whereby either of the local signal operating circuits previously described may be closed by the engagement of the armature With either of contacts 24 or 25, means is provided for reversing the di rection of flow of current in the main line, such result being attained by cutting-in either of the batteries 2 or 3, which as above indicated have their corresponding poles oppositely connected in the line. The means for attaining these ends comprise devices in the nature of polarized relays 54 and 55, re spectively. Armature 5(3 of relay 54 is adapted to engage a 'ontact. 57 leading to,

the negative side of battery 2-and the armature 58 of relay is adapted to engage with contact 60 leading from the positive side of the battery 3. A wire 61 leads from the frame of the relay which is in electrical contact with the armature 58 to the contact 62 with which cooperates the armature 63 of the relay 5, so that when armature 58 is in a position, as shown, the following circuit is established in the main line. From battery 3 to contact (30, arn'iature 58, through the frame of the relay, wire 61, contact 62, armature (33, to the main line, thence through the polarized relays and selective apparatuses connected in bridge of the line to the negative side thereof back to battery 3.

'When armature 56 of relay 54 is in engagement with contact 57, armature 58 being removed from contact as will hereinafter he described, the following circuit is established: from battery 2 to the main line, then through the various polarized relays and selective apparatuses in bridge thereof to the negative side of the line, then through armature 64 of relay 4, contact 65, wire 66 to the frame of the relay 54, armature 56, contact 57, back to battery. It will be understood of course that in each of the circuits above described, it is presumed that the relays in the despatchers station have been operated respectively by the sender keys l2 and 11. This reversal of the cur rent in the main line as above described sets the various armatures of the polarized relays along the main line in proper positions to operate the desired signal when the selective apparatus at the stat-ion to be called has closed the local circuit. It will be noted that the position of the armature 23 is dependent upon the particular relay 54 and 55 which is operated.

Relays 54 and 55 are operated by means of local circuits which will now be described. 67 indicates a battery which furnishes the current supply to the circuits which operate the relays 54 and 55 respectively. 68 indicates a switch which hereinmay be termed despatchers switch and 69 indicates a similar switch which may be termed Inessage mans switch Supposing switch 68 to be closed the following circuit is established, from battery 67 through wire 70, through coils of the relay 54, wire 71, wire 72, lamp 73,. wire 74, switch arm 75, wire 76, thence through the coils of the relay 55,.and wire 77, back to battery. The provision of the lamp 73 of this circuitoperates to inform the message man who operates the-switch 69 that the despatchers switch is closed and that the line is in use. It will be understood that the relays are so arranged that when the circuit above described is closed the armatures 56 and 58 will occupy the pe sition shown in the drawings, the battery 3 being applied to the main line.

78 indicates a switch which may be termed despatchers cut-out switch. This switch is normally closed so that when the despatchers switch is open and the message mans switch closed, the following circuit is established: from battery 67 through wire 70 and the coils of relay 54:, wire '71, wire 80, through the switch arm 81 of switch 69, wire 82, switch arm 83 of switch 78, wire 84, lamp 85, wire 86, wire 76, thence through the coils of the relay 55 and wire 77, back to battery. The provision of the lamp 85 in this circuit operates to inform the despatcher that the message mans switch is closed and the wire in use, and it will be understood that when this last described circuit is closed the armatures 56 and 58 are in such positions that the armature 58 and contact 60 are out of engagement,the battery 3 being removed from the line and the battery 2 cut into the line. Each of armatures 56 and 58 have arms to which may be attached colored disks or other visual indicating members.

Having thus described my improved signaling system the operation, which, to a large extent should be obvious, may now be understood.

Assuming switch 68 to be closed and switch 69 open, thereby applying battery 3 to the line, the operation of the sender key 12 will by means of the relay 5 send the proper combination of impulses to the main line to operate the selective apparatus in the station, which it is desired to call and, with the arrangement of the parts shown in the present drawings the operation of the sender key 12 will serve to operatively connect the signal 27 with its source of current supply. Assuming however, the switch 68 to be open and the switches 69' and 7 8 closed the operation of the sender key 11 will apply the tery 2 to the line therebyreversing the direction of current fiow therein, whereby the armature 23 will contact with the contact 24 thereby closing a circuit through the signal 26 and opening the circuit through the signal 27.

It will be understood that when either of the ringing circuits is closed by the operation of the selector apparatus in combination with the armature 23 of the polarized relay, the interrupted current set up in said circuit by the vibration of the bell armature passing through the coil 16 which acts as a primary, induces a current in the main line, which current acting upon the telephone apparatus connected in bridge thereof causes a in the telephone beinguscd, inform- &

ing the operator that the particular station desired has been called.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the coil of the selector operates as an impedance thereby preventing such an intert'erence with the telephone apparatus connected in brid e of the line by the signaling impulses sent t iereover, as would tend to interfere with said voice currents.

It will accordingly be seen that I have provided a signaling system of simple yet efficient operation. single selective apparatus in each of the various stations along the main line serves to close circuits in'a plurality of signaling devices of different characteristics; thereby when the signal is operated the particular operator desired is at once notified. The provision of the switch 78 in the message mans circuit, said switch being preferably located in proximity to the despatchers circuit, enables the latter at all times to take command of the wire providing he deems it necessary in the performance of his duties as train despatcher.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely diiierent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

l-la'ving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a signaling circuit, a main line, solective apparatus in bridge of said line, a plurality of local circuits, a normally open switch common to each of said local circuits adapted to be closed by said selective apparatus, a signaling device in each local circuit, and means in bridge of said line for closing one of said local circuits to the exclusion of the other.

2. In a signaling circuit, a main line, selective apparatus in bridge of said line, a plurality of local circuits each of which includes a signal, a source of current supply common to each of said local circuits, a normally open switch common to both of said circuits adapted to be closed by said selective apparatus, and means in bridge of said main line for closing either of said circuits to the exclusion of the other.

3.111 a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus connected in bridge of said line, a plurality of electricallyoperated sigloo til

nals, a switch in electric connection with both of said signals, said switch being adapted to be operated by said selective apparatus, and means connected in said bridge adapted, when said switch is closed, to selectively operate one of said signals.

4. In a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus connected in bridge of said line, a plurality of independent electrically operated signals, a source of electric supply common to both of said signals, a normally open switch in electrical connection with both of said signals, and means connected in bridge of the line ada ted, when said switch is closed by said so ective device, to selectively operate one of said signals.

In a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus in bridge of said line, a plurality of electrically operated signals, a normally open switch in electric connection with both of said signals, a source of current supply common to both of said sig-,

nals, said switch being adapted to be closed by said selective apparatus, and a relay connected in bridge of the line adapted to selectively operate one of said signals.

6. In a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus in bridge of said line, a plurality of electrically operated signals having different characteristics, a normally open switch electrically connected to both of said signals, said switch being adapted to be closed by said selective apparatus, and means in bridge at the line adapted to selectively operate one or said signals in accordance with the direction of flow of current in said main line.

7. In a signaling system, a main line, means for impressing current in opposite directions upon said line, selective apparatus in bridge of said line, a plurality of electrically operated signals having different characteristics, a normally open switch in electrical connection with both of said signals adapted to be closed by said selective apparatus, and means in said bridge for selectively operating one of said signals in accordance with the direction of flow of current in the main line.

8. In a signaling system, a main line, a plurality of current supplying devices each of which is adapted to impress a flow of current in a different direction upon said line, selective apparatus connected in bridge of the line, a plurality of electrically operated signals having ditlerent characterishas, a normally open switch in electrical connection with both of said signals, a source of current supply for said signals, and means in said bridge whose operation is determined by the direction of How of current in the main line for connecting one of said signals with its source of our rent supply to the exclusion of the other.

9. In a signaling system, a main line, a

ema /i nected in the main line for connecting one,

of said signals with its source of current supply.

10. In a signaling system, a main line, a pair of current supplying devices, corre sponding poles of which are adapted to be oppositely connected to said line, means for 9 connecting either of said current supplying devices with. said line, a plurality of electrically operated signals having different characteristics, a local circuit for each of said signals, a normally open switch common to both of said local circuits adapted to he closed by said selective apparatus, and a polarized re iv for rendering either otsaid signals opera 11. In a signaling system, main line, a pair of batteries corresponding poles of which are oppositely connected in the main line, a pair of relays each of which is adaptare.

ved to connect one out said batteries to the line, selective apparatus connected in bridge of the line, a pair of signals, said signals having different characteristics, a normally open switch electrically connected with both of said signals, means in bridge of the line for selectively operating said switch, and means in bridge of the line for selectively determining the operation of said signals.

12. In a signaling system, a main line, a pair of batteries corresponding poles of which are adapted to be oppositely connected in said line, a pair of relays each of which when operated is adapted to apply one of said batteries to the line, means for operating each of said relays, means for visually indicating which of said relays has been operated, a pair of independent signals, selective apparatus in' bridge of the line, a normally open switch in electrical connection with both of said signals which is adapted to be closed by said selective apparatus, a source of current supply common to both of said signals, and means in. said bridge for connecting one of said signals with said source of current supply when said switch has been closed by the selective apparatus, the particular signal so connected being determined by the particular relay operated.

13. In a signaling system, a main line, a pair of batteries corresponding poles of nected in the line, a pair of local circuits, a

relay in each'localcircuit adapted when operated to apply one of said batteries to the line, means for closing either of said local circuits, means for indicating to the operator of one of said relays that the operator of theother relay has applied a battery to the line,-selectiveapparatus in bridge of the line, a plurality of electrically operated signals having diiferent characteristics, a normally open switch adapted to be closed by said selective apparatus, said switch being electrically connected with both of said signals, a common source of current supply for both the signals, and means in bridgeof the line whose operation is determined by the particular relay operated for connecting one of 'said signals with its source of current upp y- 14. In a signaling system, a main km, a plurality of signals having difierent characteristics, a plurality of local circuits, a switch common to each of said local circuits, selective means for closing said switch, a second switch in each of said local circuits,

1 and a polarized relay in bridge of the line I to determine t for operating either of said last named switches to the exclusion of the other.

15-. In a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus in bridge of the'line, a plurality of electrically operated "signals, means in brid e of said main line adapted lie operation of one of said signals in accordance-with the direction offlow of current in the main line, and means for reversing the direction of flow of current in said line.

1-6. In a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus in bridge in the line, a plurality of electrically operated signals, means in bridge of said main line adapted to determine the operation of one of said signals in accordance with the direction of flow of current in said main line, and a plurality of independently operated relays adapted to reverse the direction of current in said main line.

17. In a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus in bridge of the line, a plurality of electrically operated signals, means in bridge of the mainline adapted to selectively operate one of said signals in accordance with the flow of current in said main line, a plurality of sources of current for said main line, and a plurality of independently operated relays each of which is adapted to connect one of said sources of current with said main line.

18. In a-signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus in bridge of the line, a plurality of electrically operated signals, means in bridge of said main line adapted to selectively operate one of said signals in accordance with the direction of flow of current in said main line, a, plurality of batteries corresponding poles of which may be oppositely connected 1n the main line, and a plurality of indepe en ly pe a ed relays, each of which is adapted to connect one gf said batteries with the main line, whereby the direction of flow of current may he reversed therein.

19. In a signaling sys m, a a n lin selective apparatus 1n idge Q the line, a plurality of electrically openated signals, means in bridge of said main line adapted in conjunction with said selective means to selectively operate one of said signals in accordance with the direction of flow of current in the main line, a pa r of hatteries, each of which is adapted to impress current upon the main line in a direction opposite to that in which it is implfissed by the other-battery, and a, relay for connecting the main line with either of said batteries,

2 n a g i g sy m, a in l ne, selective apparatus in bridge of the line, a p a i y of l ctrically ec eted ig a s, means in bridge of the main line adapted to selectively operate one of said Signals in accordance with the direction of flow of current in the main line, a pair of batteries each of which is adapted to impress at cur,- rent upon the main line in a direction op.- posite to that in which it is impressed by the other thereof, a relay for connecting either of said batteries with the main line whereby the direction of flow of current therein may be reversed, and a circuit closer for each of said relays.

21. In a signaling system, a main line, selective apparatus in brid e of the line, a pair of electrically operate signals, means in bridge .of the line adapted in conjunction with said selective means to determine the operation of one of said signals to the .exclusion of the other, a pair of batteries, each of which is adapted .to impress a flow of current upon the main line in a direction opposite to that 'in which it may be impressed by the other battery, a relay for each of said batteries adapted to connect the same with the main line, a switch for closing the circuit of each .of said relays, and -a switch located in proximity to one of said first mentioned switches for opening the circuit closed by the other switch.

22. In a signaling system, in combination a main line, telephonic apparatus in brid e of the line, selective means in bridge of t e line, a pair of electrically operated signals, means in bridge of the line adapted in conjunction with said selective means for reversing the flow of current in the main line, a pair of batteries each of which is adapted to impress current on the main line 1n a direction opposite to that in which it is impressed by the other battery, an independently operated relay for connecting each of said batteries with the main line, a switch for closing the circuit of each of said relays,

and a switch located in proximity with one of the switches for opening the circuit closed by the other switch.

23. In a signaling system, in combination a main line, telephonic apparatus in bridge of the line, conductance and impedance n bridge of the line, selective apparatus in bridge of the line, a plurality of independently operated signals, means in bridge of the line adapted in combination with said selective apparatus to determine the operation of one of said signals to the exclusion of the other, a pair of batteries each of which is adapted to impress a flow of current upon the main line in a direction opposite to that in which it is impressed by the other, an independently operated relay for each of said batteries, each relay being adapted to connect its battery with the mam line, a switch for closing the circuit of each of said relays for indicating to the operator,

of one switch that the switch contro led by the other operator is closed.

24:. In a signaling system, in combination, a main line, telephonic apparatus in bridge of the line, conductance and impedance in bridge of-the line, selective apparatus in bridge of the line, a plurality of independently operated signals, means in bridge of the line adapted in conjunction with said selective apparatus todetermine the operation of one of said signals, a pair of batteries each of which is adapted to impress a flow of current upon the main line in a direction opposite to that in which it is impressed by the other, an independently operated relay for each of said batteries, each relay being adapted to connect its battery to the main line, a switch for closing the circuit of each of said relays, means in the circuit of each of said relays of indicating to the operator of each switch that the switch controlled by the other operator is closed, and a switch located in proximity to one of said first mentioned switches for opening the circuit which is adapted to be closed by the other switch.

25. A selective signaling system compris-' s ciated de-vice said means including a source of attire signal-sending station, and

means for reversing the polarity of the current supplied to said signal-receiving stations.

27. A selective signaling system comprising a signal-sending station and a plurality of signal-receiving stations, a signal circuitcontrolling device at each signal-receivin station. two signals under the control 0 each device, means for setting said device, an auxiliary signal circuit-controlling element having a circuit controlling contact for each associated signal, and means for operating either one of said two signals with a given position of their associated device, said means including a source of I current at the signal-sending station, and means for reversing the polarity of the current supplied to said signal-receiving stations.

28. A selective signaling system comprising a signal-sending station and a plurality of signal-receiving stations, a signal circuitcontrolling device at each signal-receivin station, two signals under the control 0 each device, an auxiliary polarized signal circuitv controlling element having a circuit controlling contact for each associated signal, and means for operating either one of two signals with a given position of their associated device, said means including a. source of current at the signal-sending station, and means for reversing the polarity of the current supplied to said signal-receiving stations.

29. A selective signaling system comprising a signal sending station and a plurality of signal receiving stations, a step-by-step signal circuit-controlling device at each signal receiving station, two sighalhnnder the control of each device, and means for operating either one of two signals with agiven position of their associated device,

said means including a source of current at the'signal sending station, and means for" reversing the polarity of the current supplied to sald signal receiving stations.

30. A selective signaling system compris ing a signal sending station and a pluralit of signal receiving stations, a signal circu1fl-" each device, and means for operating either In testimony whereof I aflix my signature one lpf two signalis gvith a giriren position in the presence of two witnesses.

of t eir associate evice,.sai means ineluding a source of current at the signal EDWIN GILL sending station, and means for reversing the Wit es es:

polarity of the current supplied to said FRANK J. KENT,

signal receiving stat-ions. BLANCHE W. COULDOCK.

Gopies of 'this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the commissioner-of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

